Determination put to better use in tennis than politics, but men get all the glory

TENNIS fans must have enjoyed two weeks of entertaining tennis at the French Open at Roland Garros, in Paris, especially the finals.

In the women’s final, 20-yearold screaming Latvian sensation, Jelena Ostapenko, made history when she upset the third seed, Simone Halep, to became the first player to win a Grand Slam title on her debut since 1933. It was not only her first title, but also the first Grand Slam title for her country. Although she lost the first set and was four games down in the second, she did not lose hope, but fought back courageously to frustrate and stun the experienced Halep. Ostapenko showed us what could be achieved with courage and determination.

Corrupt government officials also show determination, but in their crooked ways rather than in their duties. Former SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng, disgraced Eskom chief executive Brian Molefe and the president himself never give up trying to stay in power.

Ostapenko’s courageous fightback was overshadowed by the brutal display of fire power by the king of clay, Rafael Nadal, against Stan Wawrinka in the men’s final. This match dominated news headlines. Isn’t it anti-feminist?

Nadal made history by becoming the first player to win 10 titles in a single Grand Slam event. Everyone expected Wawrinka to pose the greatest threat to his ambitions, but the Spanish conquistador swept aside the Swiss challenger in three straight sets.